USU Evacuates Building Over Suspicious Package Ahead of Turning Point USA Event
Utah State University (USU) recently evacuated the Old Main building due to a report of a suspicious package. This incident occurred just before a Turning Point USA event scheduled for that evening.
Suspicious Package Identified
On Tuesday afternoon, precisely at 2:45 p.m., a wildlife telemetry collar was mistakenly reported as a suspicious device. The collar was intended for educational purposes, specifically for an undergraduate class on telemetry.
The university’s police department responded swiftly, ordering the evacuation of Old Main and notifying students and faculty through a campus-wide alert. Although the collar was eventually declared nonexplosive by officers, it was detonated as a precautionary measure. By 3:45 p.m., the building was deemed safe.
Background of the Event
The evacuation was particularly notable because it coincided with the “American Comeback Tour” event, featuring several high-profile speakers:
- Utah Senator Mike Lee
- Utah Governor Spencer Cox
- Arizona Representative Andy Biggs
- Former Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz
This event was previously headed by Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was tragically killed during a tour event at Utah Valley University earlier this month.
Community Response
Ellis Bruch, the executive director for USU Public Safety, expressed gratitude for the proactive attitude of the campus community in ensuring safety. He emphasized the importance of vigilance and encouraged individuals to report any suspicious activity. “Better safe than sorry isn’t a cliché,” he remarked.
Despite the initial alarm, the swift actions of campus officials demonstrated a commitment to safety, ensuring that students and faculty were kept informed throughout the incident.
